Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as a goal to empty the mind or reach a flawless state of serenity. It resembles learning to sit with whatever arises—stirred thoughts, a planning mindset, even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice from various traditions. Some found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few stumbled into it during college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Rian Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Sahana Mehra draws on psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Rian Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Rian began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What distinguishes him is his knack for explaining ancient concepts through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions frequently include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Sahana Mehra
Philosophy Guide
Sahana combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sahana has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Her students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect inner calm. Instead, we focus on developing skills that help you meet life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking a thoughtful pause before committing to contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into based on momentary enthusiasm.
If you’re curious about learning meditation as a practical life skill rather than a spiritual pursuit, we’d be honored to guide your exploration. The practice has quietly transformed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.